Oswalt on friendly ground for his start

PHILADELPHIA – Roy Oswalt is right at home – pitching as a starter in a ballpark where he’s never lost.

Back in a familiar role after an unsuccessful guest appearance as a reliever, Oswalt gets the ball for Game 6 today when the Phillies try to even the N.L. championship series against San Francisco.

Oswalt dominated the Giants in Game 2, but took the loss when he came out of the bullpen and allowed Juan Uribe’s game-ending sacrifice fly in the ninth inning in Game 4.

Roy Halladay helped the Phillies avoid elimination with a gutsy effort pitching through a groin pull Thursday night, sending the series back to Philadelphia with the Giants ahead 3-2.

Now it’s Oswalt’s turn. He’s 10-0 lifetime at Citizens Bank Park.

“You never are guaranteed anything,” Oswalt said Friday. “Doesn’t matter how good a team you have, you may not never get back in this situation. So when you are here, you try to do everything possible when you’re here.”

Jonathan Sanchez, the Game 2 loser, takes the mound for San Francisco.

The Giants are looking for their first pennant since Barry Bonds led them to within six outs of the World Series title in 2002.

Sanchez gave up three runs – two earned – and five hits in six-plus innings last Sunday night.